An officer-involved shooting in Downtown Colorado Springs has resulted in the death of a 26-year-old suspect, Alex Martinez-Sarmiento, after an altercation early Saturday morning. The incident, which is still under investigation, began when the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) received calls about a disturbance involving an armed man in the vicinity of several nightclubs, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
The initial investigation from the CSPD did not result in immediate contact with the suspect. However, shortly thereafter, downtown surveillance cameras helped officers locate an individual matching the description of the suspect, who seemed to be armed. The confrontation occurred when police attempted to approach the suspect, who then fled and subsequently reached towards his waistband, prompting an officer to discharge their weapon. A firearm was recovered at the scene, in proximity to where Martinez-Sarmiento was apprehended and later pronounced deceased despite efforts at life-saving measures.
No other injuries were reported during this incident, and the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave by CSPD policy. The death of Martinez-Sarmiento was confirmed by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, although the official cause of death will be disclosed following further investigation. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has taken the lead on the case as mandated by Colorado state law, and they are expected to provide additional information once the investigation has advanced.
